THURSDAY
This week for the devotional, since we had serve Sunday last Sunday and I was on vacation last week, I asked a few people in the church to share how they have experienced church/fellow believers as sacred space.
by Dan MacVeagh
The idea that "we are the temple of God" is found in 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 6:16. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul asks the Corinthian believers, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?".
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul states, "For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people'".
I find it awesome yet humbling to think that I am called God’s temple. Yet if you look at the pronouns in 2 Cor. 6:16, they are all plural……we – them – their – they. Clearly, we the church are God’s living temple.
I was recently asked in our circle group this question, “What has changed over the years in your theology, your beliefs about God, or new lessons learned in His Word?” Good question! As I pondered this, one change clearly stood out. I used to believe that fellowship with other believers was “important”, but today I’m certain that fellowship within God’s church is not just important but “vital” if I want to grow in the Lord.
You may disagree! There are many who believe they can be a healthy Christian and do it alone. In fact, ever since Covid, many believers have gotten out of the habit of going to church, being in a small group, or pursuing Christian fellowship of any kind.
Someone once joked that fellowship (a couple of “fellows” in a “ship”) is two people in the same boat rowing in the same direction. While there is some truth to that, a more biblical definition is Christian fellowship is an inner unity expressed outwardly to do God’s will.
Working together to fulfill God’s plan al so provides a place for encouragement and opportunities to use our gifts. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). When we neglect fellowship, we can lose an opportunity to use our gifts, and we will soon find our passion for being an active member of the body of Christ fading away.
Finally, fellowship is important because it gives us the opportunity to obey the Lord in demonstrating our love to our fellow believers “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them,” (Ephesians 4:29).
Let me conclude with this: The successful TV show, Little House on the Prairie, was about a small community living in the little town of Walnut Grove. Though fictional, it portrayed a time when people truly did do life together. One general store, one schoolhouse, one black smith, and one church. They had contact with each other daily. For most of us, that’s not our life. We are scattered, miles apart, and super busy and getting together isn’t always easy, but we should recognize the urgency of finding a way to stay connected. Participating regularly in a small group (like our Circle Groups) is a wonderful way to stay connected. Prayerfully consider being a part of one or find another way to share your Christian life with other believers.
“Let us consider how to spur one another on towards love and good deeds…” Heb. 10:24